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White House Tours canceled effective Saturday, March 9, 2013
We regret to inform you that White House Tours are canceled effective Saturday, March 9, 2013, until further notice. For updates regarding this situation, please contact the White House Visitors Office 24 hour hotline at (202) 456-7041.
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White House Visitor Center Rehabilitation and Closure Information
The White House Visitor Center is closed for rehabilitation. A temporary visitor center is located near the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion, just west of the intersection of 15th and E streets, NW.
National Christmas Tree Nightly Music Program
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Greetings! Thank you for your interest in the National Christmas Tree Music Program. The 2012 National Christmas Tree Nightly Music Program will run from December 11 until December 23, 2012. Logistical information such as how to apply, how the selection process works, and our musical entertainment policy can be found below. How to apply | The Selection Process | Musical Entertainment Policy 
How To Apply Thank you to all those who submitted applications to perform in the 2012 National Christmas Tree Music Program. At this time, performance applications for 2012 are no longer being accepted. If you have any questions please contact us at 202-208-1631 or treelighting@nps.gov. 2012 Logistical Information for Performers Logistical information is available for selected groups who are performing for the National Christmas Tree Music Program. more... The Selection Process A committee will review all completed applications by three weeks after the deadline. The Music Program Coordinator will contact you to discuss your possible performance date. Due to the popularity of the music program, each group will be limited to one performance. It's very important to prioritize the three possible dates you wish to perform. Your application will be placed in a "first-choice date" category along with other "first-choice date" applicants. One member of the committee will randomly pick three envelopes for the "first-choice date". If not selected, your application will be placed with "second-choice date" applicants and so on to the "third-choice date" group. If not selected at all, your application will be placed on a waiting list in case a group decides not to perform. (One application per group) Musical Entertainment Policy The National Park Service's National Christmas Tree Music Program at President's Park is intended to provide musical entertainment for park visitors during December on the Ellipse, where in celebration of the holiday season, visitors can observe the National Christmas Tree, visit assorted yuletide displays, and attend musical presentations. Park visitors come from diverse backgrounds and nations, and include individuals, families, and groups, with ages ranging from the very young to senior citizens. Consistent with the Constitution's Establishment Clause and its mandate of government neutrality, which has allowed the placement of holiday secular and religious displays, the National Christmas Tree Music Program's holiday musical entertainment may include both holiday secular and religious music. To ensure that any proposed music selection is consistent with the Establishment Clause, and presented in a prudent and objective manner as a traditional part of the culture and heritage of this annual holiday event, it must be approved in advance by the National Park Service. 
In general, performances run weekdays (Tuesdays to Fridays), 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
2012 Schedule of Nightly Performances (PDF)Nightly performances begin on December 11, 2012 and end on December 23, 2012. |
Did You Know?
Franklin Pierce was the first president to introduce the Christmas tree to the White House in 1856 for a group of Washington Sunday School children.